Government of Japan to Contribute US$2.675 Million to Multidimensional Programme

Dili – Timor-Leste has enjoyed the longest period of peace and stability since the security breakdown in 2006. However peace cannot be taken for granted. It is recognized that countries only recover from conflict if they can create a window of time where they are free from further conflict. While there are clear indications of progress and an accepted level of stability, the drivers of certain conflicts are still to be resolved to prevent a resurgence of instability in the country. (Lee versaun Tetum iha ne'e)

UNDP’s innovative project, Strengthening Peacebuilding in Timor-Leste through Effective and Accessible Justice System, Social Dialogue and Policing Services, adopts a holistic approach to developing synergies between justice, security and conflict prevention programmes and institutions for sustainable peace and stability. In partnership with the Ministries of Justice and Social Solidarity and with the National Police of Timor-Leste (PNTL), the project will focus on strengthening the interconnection between justice, police and peacebuilding to strengthen capacities, systems and institutional coordination at the national and district level.

The Government of Japan is contributing US$2.675 over two years to the project to be allocated as follows:

Ministry of Justice: US$1.063 million – to ensure a transparent, effective and accessible justice system as a successful conflict resolution mechanism and alternative to violence

Ministry of Social Solidarity: US$0.59 million – to strengthen peacebuilding and social cohesion at the community level, particularly in the districts

PNTL:US$1.022 – to support the capacities of the PNTL to deliver responsive and effective policing services to the population of Timor-Leste thereby contributing to peacebuilding and social cohesion

“Now it is relatively peaceful in Timor-Leste. But we understand maintaining peace for the future with cohesion is very important,” said H.E. Isabel Amaral Guterres, Minister of Social Solidarity. “This fund will support the establishment of four new branches in the districts in order for us to provide better and prompt services of peacebuilding and social cohesion to civilians, especially those living in rural areas. We are pleased to know the Japanese Government and UNDP support our ongoing work to maintain peace and social solidarity."

“Ensuring our citizens can resolve disputes through the justice system without recourse or escalation to violence is one of the most effective ways of ensuring peace and stability in our country,” said H.E. Dr Dionisio Babo, Minister of Justice. “Japan’s valuable support to this project is an important contribution to the further development of an efficient and effective justice system here in Timor-Leste.

“The UNDP/PNTL capacity building project is critical for the development of our national police force as it focuses on areas of need specifically identified by our senior command," said the Sr. Henrique da Costa, Chief Superintendent, Chief of Administration Command, PNTL. "We are grateful to the government of Japan for helping to fund this project and believe it will strengthen our ability to provide key management and administrative policing services vital for the development of Timor-Leste.”

“It is indispensable for economic growth in Timor-Leste that the regional people can have access to such social apparatus as justice, social solidarity and policing,” said H.E. Mr. Yoshitaka HANADA, Ambassador of Japan. “This project is designed to improve these services by means of strengthening the capabilities of the institutions for the people, including those in local areas, to solve the problem by the legal process.”

“This innovative initiative builds upon UNDP’s strategic partnership with the country’s key institutions in justice, security and social cohesion as well as its longstanding relationship with the Government of Japan,” said Knut Ostby, UN Resident Coordinator and UNDP Resident Representative. “By strengthening the interconnection between these pillars of peace and stability at the local level we are also providing complementary support to the government’s decentralization initiative scheduled to begin implementation in 2014.”

For further information about the Strengthening Peacebuilding in Timor-Leste through Effective and Accessible Justice System, Social Dialogue and Policing Services project please contact masako.yokoyama@undp.org

About UNDP:UNDP partners with people at all levels of society to help build nations that can withstand crisis, and drive and sustain the kind of growth that improves the quality of life for everyone. On the ground in 177 countries and territories, we offer global perspective and local insight to help empower lives and build resilient nations. In Timor-Leste, UNDP provides technical advice and assistance to build strong and capable public institutions at national and sub-national levels in justice, parliament, human rights, anti-corruption, police, economic development, environmental management and disaster risk management that bring development, peace and justice to the population and reach out to the poor and vulnerable sections of society.